City to continue 'green' energy program

GALESBURG — The city is renewing its contract with Homefield Energy to provide a cheaper and more environmentally friendly alternative power supplier.

Kraig Boynton, purchasing agent for the city of Galesburg, said by renewing the contract residents already in the plan will have the choice to renew or opt out and go with Ameren Illinois.

Homefield says it is 100 percent “green,” using only renewable sources of energy.

The green energy keeps the price down. The current rate is $0.04345 per Kilowatt-hour compared to Ameren’s $0.04547 per Kilowatt-hour, a savings of about 5 percent.

The renewed contract starts in July, and will run until July 2016. The rate is set to increase to$0.05383 per Kilowatt-hour on July 1 for the Homefield service.

Current Homefield users will receive a notice of the contract renewal, and will be given the chance to opt out and sign up with Ameren. There’s no charge for opting out.

Also, current Ameren users will be given the chance to sign up for Homefiled energy.

There will be a 21-day window for users to opt out once letters are sent to residents.

If the new rate to start in July is greater than Ameren’s rate — which is set to change in May — users will be given another chance to switch back over to Ameren.

The service will not only be available for residences, but small businesses as well.

Whichever company supplies the electricity still has to use Ameren to deliver it to households.

In a media release, the city also cautioned residents to beware of scams taking advantage of the energy provider switch.

“Other energy suppliers may solicit Galesburg residents and small commercial businesses via phone, mailings, or door-to-door to sign with their company. Caution is recommended as these suppliers are not the ‘supplier of choice’ and may not be able to provide the same rates or assurances as Homefield Energy,” the release said.

Marty Hobe (309) 343-7181 ext. 214; mhobe@register-mail.com; @mhobe55